Wednesday, November 23, 2005

The Future of Carnahan School

The Future of Carnahan School

From Craig Schmid via the Marine Villa Yahoo Group:

"Greetings:

We have a lot for which to be thankful this year, and we will be receiving an early Christmas/Channukah/Kwanzaa/etc./new year gift this year with a special announcement regarding Carnahan School.
WHEN: NEXT WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, AT 1:00 P.M.
WHERE: CARNAHAN SCHOOL (4041 S. BROADWAY AT GASCONADE)
WHAT: ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUTURE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL PLANS.
WHY: BECAUSE THE SCHOOL HAS MADE SUCH A TURNAROUND, SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS' COMMITMENT, COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND DEDICATION, AND THE
AVAILABLE MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE AT THE BUILDING.
WHO: ALL OF YOU (FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS); UNIVERSITY, HIGH-TECH, COMMUNICATIONS; COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL PARTNERS; SUPERINTENDENT WILLIAMS; ALDERMAN ORTMANN(invited); MAYOR SLAY(invited).
This will be exciting news for the neighborhood, the City of St. Louis and the region. I know it is in the middle of the work day, but I hope you will let others who may be available during the day know about this, so that we can continue to show our support for our children, our families, our community, our school, and our bright future. A large presence will speak volumes about our efforts to support safe children, healthy families and strong communities.

Thanks.
Craig"

UPDATE (Announcement Rescheduled):

"Greetings:

O.K., so in my effort to let you know first and to "get the word out", I ran into a slight glitch. Yes, what is slated to be announced next Thursday is still going to transpire. And so will the event occur. However, I have been told that it just won't be next Thursday. So, please contain your enthusiasm for a bit.
Whenever there is a major announcement with significant partners across the country there can be scheduling glitches, and we just ran into one. Apparently everyone wants to participate in this major announcement, but not everyone can be there on November 30. AT THIS POINT IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY BE RE-SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 12, OR 14, AT THE SAME TIME. SO PLEASE STAY TUNED.
Thanks for your commitment. I apologize for any confusion. You are still welcome to visit Carnahan School next Thursday. It just won't be quite as exciting as the announcement next month."



I'll speculate this could mean a couple things:

1) Recently, when I specifically mentioned the recent gang-like behavioral issues in the neighborhood attributed to Carnahan Middle School students, a school board member mentioned that "well, Carnahan could become a small high school."

2) Many observant readers are aware that a group over in St. Louis Hills wants to develop a new community center (for the 16th Ward) funded by a "Community Improvement District" special tax levy. Their desired site is Nottingham CAJT High School, a school which provides training in basic skills for employment and independent living to students with mental retardation and developmental disabilities.

However, SLPS doesn't want to sell the early-1950s one-story Nottingham building, which the neighborhood group claims has a capacity of 300+ but only about 100 students. That may partly be due to the necessary 9-to-1 teacher-student ratio in such a specialized program. So, perhaps Carnahan (also a one-story building) could be a new site for this program?

I love the idea of converting all the elementary schools back to K-8. The 12 new schools in the eMINTs program are gradually starting the transition this year, by keeping their last year 5th graders there for 6th grade instead of going to middle school. I'm not sure whether Peabody, the original SLPS innovator in eMINTs whose test scores increased dramatically with the program, is also moving in that direction.

Of course, converting Carnahan to another use would require making its feeder schools K-8: Froebel, Meramec (K-5 since 1980), Monroe (reopened K-5 in 2001 after having closed in 1982), Scruggs, and Shepard.

Anyway, I have no idea what the true plans are. I guess we'll just have to show up on Nov. 30th to find out.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Joe, now that you no longer work for the City, you're eligible to run for the School Board. I think you should consider. You know th issues, have genuine concern for the kids, and are a former product yourself of the SLPS.

Sadly, though, if Peter Downs couldn't win, I too am cynical as to whether someone so right for the job, like you as well, could manage to overcome all the politics involved. But maybe all your CIN days helped build some cross-city support, upon which you could build.

Have you ever thought about it?

Joe said...

I'd really like to know who posted that last comment!

Anyway, I've considered semi-seriously a run for school board, but realistically, next April's race is not going to be competitive.

I wouldn't want to put myself up against Jim Buford, somebody I respect a great deal even if I don't always agree with him; nor Darnetta Clinkscale, who is more vulnerable admittedly.

And, I'd be afraid of being lumped in with Bill Haas as a "fringe blogger" type. ;-)

Seriously, though, Peter Downs may have a good shot this time. I wouldn't want to see anybody else diffuse that support. He has the distinct advantage of being a parent, which I ain't (yet).

But 2007 is a different matter. I would have no problem with running against Bob Archibald - and I have a feeling he won't run again. So, the question remains: who might be his replacement on the Slay team?

Anonymous said...

Alright then, vote Joe in '07. I'll have to remember that.

As for your supporter, in addition to our age, this additional all-things-local wonk shares FOCUS, PDA, transit trips and other crossed paths with you.